Violet Watercolor Wash

So, so pleased with the way today's violet nails turned out. I wasn't sure if I would be able to mimic the watercolor look I had in my mind, but I was pleasantly surprised with the outcome! This manicure used a mix of a splatter technique, the watercolor technique, and freehanding.

Polishes used:
Nicole by OPI Yoga Then Yogurt
OPI A Grape Affair
OPI Do You Have This Color In Stock-holm?
OPI Push & Pur-pull

I began by painting my nails white, and then I added a coat of quick dry topcoat to protect the base while I watercolored.

Using a palette made of tin foil and working one color at a time, I mixed the purples with acetone. I filled a larger nail art brush with the acetone and polish mixture, and then loosely dabbed it on to my nail. The final touch was to fill the brush again, and then use my finger to flick the bristles over my nail, creating a type of splatter effect.

More 31 Day Challenge violet manicures:

• Violet color blocking
• Purple People Eater
• Violet hippie mix

Read More

Abstract Splattered Floral - OPI Neons Nail Art

I was recently playing around with the new Neons by OPI collection and thought they would be great in a handpainted splatter manicure. Very 80s, you know? As I built up the layers, the manicure started to look less like splatters and more like a loose floral, but I quite like it anyway!

I started by applying OPI's Put a Coat On!, which is a plain white meant to be used as a base under the neons.

Then, I used a small nail art brush to paint on some abstract splatter shapes with the following OPI neon shades:
Life Gave Me Lemons
You Are So Outta Lime
Down to the Core-al
Push & Pur-pull

I finished the manicure off with some handpainted black splatters for extra contrast.

What do you think -- is this look closer to splatters or a floral print?

Read More

Studded & Splattered

While my new rounded nail shape still seems a bit foreign to me, I am totally loving the change. I think that lighter colors make the shape look nicest, so I thought I'd do a soft pink manicure to celebrate my "curves." Of course, I couldn't just leave it plain, so I jazzed it up with some studs and a faux splatter accent nail.

Polishes used:
OPI Chic From Ears to Tail
Azature Camel Diamond
Essie Blanc
American Apparel Hassid

The studs are the 3mm black and white camo studs from Daily Charme. They come pre-splattered like this, aren't they so fun? I love that they are all different from each other, and they are just the right size too. Big enough to show the patterns, but not so big that they overwhelm the nail.

The splatter elements on my accent nail were freehanded using black and white to tie in with the studs.

While it was scary to make the change to round nails, I am really enjoying them. I love my squares and always will, but sometimes you gotta, you gotta, you gotta be fresh. ;)

Read More